Part 8

Page 626
image 91 of 100

This transcription is complete

WEDNESDAY, 6th JUNE, 1917 (At Carnamah.) Present: H. H. Paynter, Esq. (in the chair). F. E. Venn, Esq. SUSAN CATHERINE COLPITTS, Farmer, Winchester, sworn and examined:

9605. To Mr. PAYNTER: I have been four years in the district. I had previous experience in South Africa. My husband and I hold about 1,600 acres. We paid 9s. an acre for 600 acres of second class and £5 and £4 10s. for the balance. It is Midland company's land. We pay 5 per cent. interest. We have 20 years in which you pay the capital. We bought two farms. Each has a comfortable house. On the one place, there was 140 acres cleared, with 120 acres cleared on the other and a dam on each. The cleared land was fenced and there was a ring-fence round the boundaries. Our place is fairly well equipped. This year we intend to crop 450 acres. There is no fallow, but from my experience in south Africa I believed in fallow, I cannot say whether it is best here. I have seen a better crop on new land. The whole crop went about 12 bushels. In the preceding year much of the crop went down under heavy rain. We had 20 and 21 bushels in 1913. That was our first year and the company seeded the land.

9606. To Mr. VENN: In London we took up this land without seeing it and we found it exactly as represented to us. In the first year the drought was a shock to us, because they had not told us anything about that. We have three cows, good milkers. Our poultry do very well, but we are too far from them market for poultry, Perth being nearest.


9607. To Mr. PAYNTER: Up till now we have not found farming pay. We have had to appeal to the Industries Assistance Board. Last year we had an unusually dry August, which was the cause of the indifferent harvest. It is difficult to get good labour. This year to put in 320 acres cost us £30 in Wages. We paid one man £3 per week, then the rain came, and we had to cultivate it all over again. we have to employ labour for all cropping, my husband being at the front. We used 20 tons of chaff for the horses, and 60 bags of oats. I would like to see the railway rates on stores reduced. It is particularly hard on one getting small lots. We bring everything from Perth. I generally get a moth's supply at a time. Freight represents about 16 per cent. I think ultimately we will be able to make good. The Company is giving me extended times in which to make my payments. The Industries Assistance Board inspector thats us very fairly. If the people in South Africa only Knew the conditions here many would come at once. I have not had anything to do with the Midland settlers' association. I do not agree with all their ideas. Our nearest doctor used to be at Moora, but I understand he has gone to the war; therefore, our nearest is the doctor at Geraldton. There is no District nurse here; there is a school (The witness retired.) DONALD MACPHERSON, Grazier, Carnamah, sworn and examined:

9608. To Mr. PAYNTER: I have been here 48 years. I hold 5,000 acres of Government land and 10,000 of Midland land. I am following pastoral pursuits and doing a little farming also. Farming conditions here doing a little farming also. Farming conditions here are good. I crop about 300 acres. I do a bit on the share system also. The average yield of the district is 20 bushels. Cropping costs approximately 30s. The average land is worth £1 an acre unimproved. Improved land is worth £3. The rainfall is about 14 inches. The conditions imposed by the Midland Company are a little harsh, and the price a bit high. The man on Government land has a great advantage. We have a good class of men on the land in this district. I do not Think they labour under any special difficulties Except in Regards to the price the Midland settlers have to pay for their land. The right man on good land can make a good living in this district.


9609. To Mr. VENN: There have not been any failures in this district; no farms are changing hands. I do not think the company's settlers have sufficiently large areas. A man should have 1,000 acres so that he might work the three years system. This is very good horse country. No dairying is done here; the district is too dry in summer for dairying. It is good country for sheep. the railway freights are reasonable. We rely on dams for our water. the subterranean water is mostly salt. My holding is nearly all natural grass country. ( The witness retired.) JOHN HENRY RANKIN, Farmer, New Brunswick, sworn and examined:


9610. By Mr. PAYNTER: I understand you wish to give evidence on behalf of the Midland Railway ready Made farm settlers' Association?-Yes. I have here Statements submitted by members of the Association. (Documents handed in)

9611. To Mr. VENN: The settlers on the ready made farms are not, as a whole, making a success. We are all petitioning the Company for a reduc-